aspect/respect ASPECT/RESPECT When used to refer to different elements of or perspectives on a thing or idea, these words are closely related, but not interchangeable. it’s “in all respects,” not “in all aspects.” Similarly, one can say “in some respects” but not “in some aspects.” One says “in this respect,” not “in this aspect.” One looks at all “aspects” of an issue, not at all “respects.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/aspect.html03/09/2005 15:36:55 appraise/apprise APPRAISE/APPRISE When you estimate the value of something, you appraise it. When you inform people of a situation, you apprise them of it. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/appraise.html03/09/2005 15:36:55 apropos/appropriate APROPOS/APPROPRIATE “Apropos,” (anglicized from the French phrase “à propos” ) means relevant, connected with what has gone before; it should not be used as an all-purpose substitute for “appropriate.” It would be inappropriate, for example, to say “Your tuxedo was perfectly apropos for the opera gala.” Even though it’s not pronounced, be careful not to omit the final “S” in spelling “apropos.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/apropos.html03/09/2005 15:36:55 artic ARTIC ARCTIC Although some brand names have incorporated this popular error, remember that the Arctic Circle is an arc. By the way, Ralph Vaughan Williams called his suite drawn from the score of the film Scott of the Antarctic, the Sinfonia Antartica, but that’s Italian, not English. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/artic.html03/09/2005 15:36:55 as time progressed AS TIME PROGRESSED AS TIME PASSED Events may progress in time, but time itself does not progress—it just passes. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/progressed.html03/09/2005 15:36:56 assure/ensure/insure ASSURE/ENSURE/INSURE To “assure” a person of something is to make him or her confident of it. According to Associated Press style, to “ensure” that something happens is to make certain that it does, and to “insure” is to issue an insurance policy. Other authorities, however, consider “ensure” and “insure” interchangeable. To please conservatives, make the distinction. However, it is worth noting that in older usage these spellings were not clearly distinguished. European “life assurance” companies take the position that all policy-holders are mortal and someone will definitely collect, thus assuring heirs of some income. American companies tend to go with “insurance” for coverage of life as well as of fire, theft, etc. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/assure.html03/09/2005 15:36:56